-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Apps have changed the way we travel . From helping us pack to checking-in , and from coping with jetlag to booking a hotel once we 've landed -- these handy tools can be used every step of the way .

With relaxing visions of mobile convenience in mind , I thought traveling from London to Rome using only apps would be stress-free and easy , but it did n't quite work out that way .

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I began my journey by using the private car service , Uber , to take me to Paddington Station where I was to catch the Heathrow Express .

Uber is free to download and all you need to do is pre-register your credit card details . It will then tell you how far away the closest car is to you , along with a photo of the driver .

So far , so good .

All-aboard

Next up was the Heathrow Express app . This turned out to be the easiest facility I used . Again with pre-registered credit card details it only took a couple of minutes to book my ticket .

The QR code turned my phone into my ticket which saved me scrambling at the ticket machine on the platform .

Feeling quite pleased with the journey so far , my bubble was truly burst when I attempted to check-in with the BA app .

This was the first time I used it as I usually check-in online the night before . To continue in the spirit of booking on the move , I tried to check-in whilst on the Heathrow Express , which was unsuccessful due to patchy signal going underground .

Once at Heathrow 's Terminal 5 , the app still did n't work . Every time I tried to check-in , I had to fill out my additional passenger information which took a lot of time tapping in the same information .

After eight attempts , I tried the self-check-in kiosk which said I had already checked in !

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The problem was it did n't give me an option to print my boarding pass . Great , I thought -- I have n't even made it onto the plane and I 've failed .

Then , just as my passport was going to be swiped at a check-in desk , the screen on my phone started refreshing and then suddenly -- my boarding pass appeared . The app challenge continues !

Rome-ward bound

Coming out of arrivals at Rome FCO , I did n't even have to look at my phone as I recognized Fabio , my Uber driver from the photo provided . No name boards , no phone calls -- I just waved and said `` You must be Fabio ? ''

I started looking for a hotel to stay once we reached the Spanish Steps in central Rome -- I had downloaded Hotel Tonight , Priceline and Booking.com to help with the task .

As I perused with patience , looking at the photos and the room features , I suddenly began to get text messages informing me how much I had spent on data roaming . $ 5 ... $ 10 ... $ 30 ... $ 50 `` Ahhh it keeps going up and up and I have n't found anything yet ! ''

I had failed to book a room at not one but two hotels . The rooms had gone after I tried to process my payment and there was no-one to complain to .

I successfully booked the third hotel I tried -- and just when I thought it was too good to be true . It was !

The hotel had oversold the rooms and they had moved me to their sister hotel up the road which they said was better . Unfortunately it was n't and in the less desirable area of Termini station .

Out and about

By the time I had checked in it was too late to go hunting for food and try out some restaurant apps suggestions via Twitter .

I wish there had also been more time to try out some of the city guide apps as well as the Rome MVR app -- which allows you to see monuments like the Coliseum in their former glory .

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Augmented Reality apps are still in their infancy so I will definitely be keeping an eye on how these develop and try them out .

Overall , my apps experience was n't quite what I expected it to be . Some were simple to use whilst others were more time-consuming and fiddly .

To avoid disappoint and expensive data roaming charges -- in the end I had spent $ 160 -- I would use apps that are quick and easy . That way you 'll have more chance of staying travel appy !

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Smartphone and tablet apps have simplified the travel process

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Travelers can arrange the flights , hotels and restaurants whilst on the move

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CNN 's Ayesha Durgahee attempted to go from London to Rome using only apps